Gina Rodriguez is best known for portraying Jane Villanueva on The CWs Jane the Virgin, but this summer the actress is also lending a hand to a special cause: ending period poverty and keeping girls in school.

Via a partnership with Always and nonprofit group Feeding America , Rodriguez is raising awareness about the millions of female students in the U.S. who miss class during their periods because they cant afford to buy menstrual products.

Theres a stigma and taboo around our periods something that is so natural and so life-giving and so incredible and our superpower to debunk that, to remove the stigma around it thats the goal, she said. To that end, Always plans to donate 15 million period products this school year through the Feeding America network of food banks.

We caught up with Rodriguez to talk about the project, inclusion and the future of Jane the Virgin.

Why did you personally want to get involved in the period poverty initiative?

Not only do I believe, but I know that education is the reason I am where I am today and my siblings are as well. I saw it in real time. I saw education creates opportunities for the three of us. I have two older sisters. And when I first heard about period poverty I was devastated. I definitely have an affinity for young girls and women and the sisterhood. I had really strong women in my life that helped me get to where I am today. I really love to use my platform to do the same. So I heard about period poverty and I was devastated, but the article was about India and about the epidemic around the world not really the United States.